Container



a. COPE CONTAINER 2 Sheets-.-Sheet 1 Filed Nqv. 8, 1943 Patented Mar. 11, 1947 CONTAINER George Cope, Detroit, Mich., assignor to The American Paper Bottle Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November s, 1943, Serial No. 509,487

4 Claims.

This invention relates to containers and primarily to paper containers for the packaging of various commodities, particularly liquids.

In Patent No. 2,047,891, granted July 14, 1936, there is disclosed an all-paper container of a type found to be eminently suitable for the packaging of food products and particularly milk, the container being fabricated from a single sheet of paper divided by scorings into relatively foldable panels, and being generally tubular in form, with fiat bottom and a top which includes two upwardly inclined panels terminating at a central transverse rib. The container is self-supporting and has very considerable mechanical strength. Prior to charging and sealing it is coated with a leak-proofing compound such for instance as parafiin or paraflin-containing liquid, which hardens or solidifies from a. molten condition shortly after having been applied In Patent No. 2263,2357, granted November 25, 1941, there is disclosed an improved container of the type just described which includes, however, a novel pouring device by means of which ready access to the interior of the container may be had and its contents conveniently withdrawn. The present invention may be said to comprise an improvement upon the containers disclosed in both of these previously granted patents, the improvements being in details of construction and having been devised with the end in view of providing a somewhat stronger container than those disclosed in the patents referred to without, however, necessitating the use of an increased amount of paper or in any other way increasing the cost of production of the container, and, furthermore, producing a container having increased resistance to the escape of any contained liquid.

It will be appreciated that, in the handling of paper containers of the rigid self-supporting type, the corners and edges thereof may be and frequently are brought into contact with objects of various kinds and in very many instances the corners of the container are subjected to substantial impact upon solid bodies. While the side wall intermediate the corners are also subject to damage due to rough handling, it is the corners which are particularly vulnerable. When, as heretofore, the tubular body portion of the container is formed by overlapping and securing together the margin of a side wall panel and an attachment flap the "seam thus formed will be located at a corner of the completed container. There is, therefore, substantial risk that the adhesive which secures together the overlapping surfaces at that corner will give waywhen the corner is subjected to a substantial blow, permitting the liquid contents of the container to be discharged. In accordance with the present invention this seam is removed from the neighborhood of a container corner and is located intermediate two adjacent container corners, the seam preferably being located midway between two such corners. When so located it is much less likely to be injured or to open when the container is roughly handled.

A further advantage in so locating the container side wall seam is to place this seam in position to cool more rapidly than it can when located at a corner, after it has become heated due to the application of a coating substance in molten condition. The coating of partially completed tubular paper containers ofthe type disclosed in the patents referred tozhas generally been eflected by immersing the container, after the blank has been squared-out and the bottom of bottom of the container.

the container closed, in a bath of molten paramn, the container being removed from the bath and allowed to cool after an immersion for a suitable length of time. The side wall panels'cool rather rapidly as compared with the corners and one difiiculty heretofore met with has been to so chill the containers after coating that the molten paraiiln adhering to the walls, particularly at the corners of the container, is solidified before it can run off of the wall surfaces and collect upon the A thicker deposit of coating material adheres to those portions of the container which are first to become chilled than to those. portions of the container which remain hot longest. Where the container side seam is located at a corner of the container, as heretofore, it is difficult to maintain along the edge of the inner of the two overlapping margins, an adequate coating of liquid-proofing substance, whereas, by removing the side seam to the middle of a side wall panel, as now suggested, more rapid cooling and quicker solidification of the coating substance over the seam can be eifected. As a result of this more complete and thorough coating of the side seam by the liquid coating substance the container is rendered much less likely to leak at the seam.

In the drawings there are illustrated, by way of example, two types of blanks from which the improved container may be fabricated and likewise two types of resulting container. One skilled in the art of container fabrication will appreciate, however, that the. invention may be embodied in paper containers which vary considerably in design and details of construction numerous respects, and that the forms which have been disclosed are set forth by way example only.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of a blank from which a preferred type of container, embodyin the invention, may be fabricated;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a partially completed container, fabricated of theblank shown in Figure l, the container having been squared-out, its bottom closed, and its surface coated with a leak-proofing substance;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the completed container;

Figures 4. 5, 6 and 7 disclose, respectively, perspective views of the container bottom at various successive stages during the bottom-closing operation;

Figure 8 is a transverse section through the bottom of the completed container;

Figure 9 a plan view of a modified form of blank from which a container embodying the invention may be fabricated;

Figure 9a shows in plan an attachment portion of the blank; and

Figures 10 and 11 are two perspective views of a container fabricated of the blank of Figure 9, Figure 10 showing that side of the container in which the pouring means is formed and Figure 11 ShOWlIlg that side of the container which includes the side seam.

In general the container is formed in the manner fully disclosed in the Scott patent above mentioned. It includes a body portion B, rectangular in cross section and tubular in form, a fiat bottom which is shown clearly in section in Figin M4 ure 8, and a top portion T which comprises a plurality of relatively folded panels terminating in a central rib. The paper is of good grade and relatively stiff and by reason of *his fact, and because of the way in which the container is formed, it is self-supporting and will maintain its form and strength even when charged with liquid and subjected to rough handling.

The blank from which the container of Figure- 3 is formed includes three identical or major rectangular side wall panels II], II and I2, two fractional or minor side wall panels i3 and I 4, respectively, together with bottom panels and top panels. A major bottom panel is indicated at I5, two minor bottom panels at I6 and I1, respectively, and two fractional bottom panels at l8 and i9, these last-mentioned panels when united together forming a single major bottom panel which is generally indicated at E in Figures 4 and 5. The panels which together com" prise, when relatively folded, the characteristic top of the container, are arranged in various groups, the five panels, three triangular and two trapezoidal, disposed immediately above the side wall i0 being generally indicated at C and together comprising a collapsible top closure panel assembly. Directly above the side wall panel I2 there is a second collapsible top closure panel assembly, generally indicated at D. The panel group directly above the side wall panel I I, which includes the rectangular panels 2| and 22 and the tapered flap 23 comprises a foldable top panel closure panel assembly and the similar panel assemblies above the fractional side wall panels l3 and It, respectively, including the rectangular panels 24 and 25 and the tongue 25 above the fractional side wall panel 14, and the rectangular panels 21 and 28 and tongue 29 above the frac- 4 tlonal side wall panel i3, are identical with each other and with the foldable top wall panel assembly 2| 22 and 23 above the central side wall panel ll.

While rectangular panels 24 and 21 are the same in dimension as panel 2|, the length of each of these panels being equal to the width of each of th several identical side panels In, H and i2, the width of the lower or major portion of each of the fractional panels i3 and I4 is greatly reduced, each such portion of one of these panels havin a width only slightly greater than one-half the Width of any one of the panels In, H and 12. Panel 21 and likewise the full width upper end portion of the fractional panel [3 are incised to provide a lift tab 32 the lower end of which may be grasped and the upper end of which is hingedly connected to panel 21 along the scoring 33. The panel 24 is incised to define an access tab 34 hingedly connected to the body of panel 24 along the scoring 35. One face of the margin of the blank is coated with a band of adhesive, this adhesive band being indicated at 36 and shown to cover the right-hand end surfaces of the panels 24, 25 and 26, which comprise the right-hand foldable top assembly, the right-hand margin of fractional side panel I4, and the margin of fractional bottom panel IS. The band of adhesive is extended toward the left (Figure 1) across the base of the wider upper end of the fractional panel l4, and thence upwardly along the left-hand margin of the foldable top panel assembly comprising panels 24, 25 and 26, as indicated at 36. The surface of access tab 34 is likewise coated with adhesive and preferably a band 36 is applied to the surface of panel 24 so as to extend laterally across the upper margin of this panel.

It will be understood that, throughout the description, and claims, by the word panel" is meant an unbroken area of paper which is either divided from an adjacent panel by a cut or incision, as for instance the bottom panels are separated from each other, or by means of narrow elongated scored portions, each panel of the side wall and top being hingedly connected to at least one adjacent panel by a, narrow elongated paper web which has been scored and which elongated web, therefore, comprises a hinge about which the adjacent panels may be readily folded relatively to each other.

With a blank so shaped, incised, scored, and coated with adhesive, the formation of the ultimate container can be initiated. After the adhesive has been applied (or moistened) the fractional panels l3 and M are brought into overlapping relationship and the panels 24, 25 and 26 of the right-hand assembly of foldable top 010- sure panels caused to underlie the similar panels 21, 28 and 29 of the left-hand group of foldable top-closure panels, the access tab 34 falling directly under the central area of the lift tab 32 and the adhesive bands 36 and 36, likewise the adhesive band 36, serving to unite the fractional panels and the superposed foldable top panel assemblies above them, respectively, one margin of the fractional major bottom flap I9 being at the same time brought into overlapping relationship with a margin of the second fractional major bottom flap l8. A tubular container is thus formed which, when squared-out and its bottom closed, has the appearance of that shown in Figure 2. The hinge scoring 35 of the access tab 34, directly overlies the hinge scoring 33 of the lift tab 32 and the adhesive upon the surface of which it is disposed.

the access tab 34 unites these tabs so that, when the lift tab 32 is raised the-access tab 34 1s likewise raised, a pouring opening being thus formed in the two-ply section of the container top. This type of pouring opening is fully .disclosed in Patout No. 2,263,957, previously referred to and has been found to be eminently practical in actual service, permitting the ready opening of the container for the discharge of all or any portion of its liquid contents and theresealing of the container when only portion of the Contents is discharged at one time, all in a convenient and entirely sanitary manner.

The procedure to be followed in the formation of the bottom of the container may be most readily perceived from. an inspection of Figures 1 to 8, inclusive. By overlappingand securing together by an adhesive the two fractional major bottom flaps l8 and I!) one major flap having a central portion or seam which is two plies in thickness is formed. The other major flap l5 being of single thickness. Hence in folding the flaps in the formation of the bottom flap I5 is first down-folded to the position in which it is shown in Figure 5. Minor flap (6 is then folded so as to overlie, in part, major flap [5. Next the major flap comprising the two attached fractional jmajor flaps t8 and I9 is folded down, and finally the minor flap l1. In this manner a three-ply bottom is obtained with smooth upper and lower surfaces, without a ridge or central thickening. In this construction the minor bottom flaps l6 and I! are not quite as wide as would ordinarily be the case, since the outer edge of each mustnot overlap with that portion of the built-up major flap 20 in the plane of In the event that it is preferred to utilize, in forming the pouring opening of the container, a patch or sheet separately, formed and applied to thecontainer .wall,. instead of forming the blank as shown in Figure 1 so that the pouring opening is formed in overlapping portions of a one-piece blank, the form of blank shown in Figure 9 may be employed. Here. the major portion of the blank-is identical with the major portion of the blank shown inFigure 1 .but the fractional side wall panels l3 and I4 have'no enlarged or widened upper portions and the panels 24, 25, and 26' immediately above are not full length as in the case of the form of blank shown in Figure 1, but are likewise only fractional panels coextensive in width with the fractional panel l4. Panels 21, 28' and 29 are similarly dimensioned Panels -l8' and I9 are dimensioned as in the first form of blank, together comprising a major bottom flap. In this form of the invention the central side wall panel II is incised as at 44 and scored as at 33' to define the lift tab 32', the lower end of the lift tab comprising as shown a portion of the upper end of the side wall panel ll. Underlying the lift tab 32 and a substantial area of the side wall panel II and the rectangular panel 2| is a rectangular sheet 45 secured in position by an adhesive.

This sheet is shown clearly in Figure 9a in which figure the adhesive is indicated at 45. In this sheet is formed by incision and scoring the access tab 34, the upper end of this tab being connected to panel 2| along a scored portion which directly underlies the scoring 33' at the upper end of the access tab 32'. The face of the access tab 34 being adhesively secured to the undersurface of the lift tab 32' the two tabs will be simultaneously lifted when the outer lift tab 32 is raised.

In substance the pouring means of this form of container is identical with that of the first iomr fractional side panels and the top closure panels directly above them, as disclosed container.

In either instance, however, and in all other forms of container embodying the invention, the side seam formed by the overlapping fractional side wall panels, top closure panels, and bottom panels, is intermediate two corners of the container, preferably being midway between two corners, as clearly shown in Figures 2, 3 and 11. The corners are, therefore, more rigid and strong and more able to withstand the shocks incident to rough handling than would be the case were this side seam actually located in one corner, as has heretofore been universal practice. Likewise the seam is protected by a coating substance applied in molten condition much more satisfactorily than when it is positioned at a corner of the container, the seam, which is of double thickness, being so positioned that it will cool after having been immersed in a molten coating subin the first form of stance, quite rapidly, and before the coating material has run off. The corners of the container, as previously explainedcool more slowly than the areas between the corners and, by taking the seam out of or away from the corner, its rate of cooling is considerably increased, thus insuring adequate coating of the seam by a leak-proofing substance which congeals upon cooling.

Having thus described the invention, what claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A tubular paper container having a bottom closure comprising four flaps, two major flaps and two minor flaps, one of the major flaps comprising two overlapping fractional flaps overlapping portions of which are adhesively secured together and the minor flaps being disposed, respectively, in the parallel planes of said fractional flaps so that the bottom is of uniform thickness at all points.

2. A tubular paper container having a bcttorn closure comprising four flaps, two major flaps each 'of such shape and size as ,to extend across and cover the bottom opening of the container, and two minor flaps, one of the major flaps comprising two overlapping fractional fiaps the overlapping portions of which are adhesively secured together and the minor flaps being disposed, respectively, in the parallel planes of said fractional flaps, each such minor flap having such shape and size that, together with the fractional flap which is in the same plane, it covers the bottom opening, so that the bottom is of uniform thickness at all points.

3. A paper container comprising a paper sheet divided by scorings into a plurality of flat relatively stiff panels, the panels being angularly disposed and the container, when ready for coating, charging and sealing, having a self-supporting, form-retaining body portion of polygonal cross section, a closed bottom, and a foldable top portion, one of the body panels consisting of two overlapping fractional panels a minor portion of each of which, at the top thereof, being of full panel width and in registration with a similar portion of the other fractional panel, the remaining or major portions of said fractional panels being of less than full panel width and overlapping only at their margins, the overlapping margins of the major portions of said fractional panels being spaced from the corners of the container body, the overlapping portions of the fractional panels being adhesively secured together, the closed bottom including four panels, one hingedly connected to each of the side walls, one such bottom panel comprising two fractional panels which are hingedly connected, respectively, to the fractional side wall panels, the other three bottom panels being of full width but two of them being relatively short and so positioned with respect to the aforementioned fractional bottom panels as to constitute therewith two complete uniform thicknesses of paper over the entire bottom of the container.

4. A paper container comprising a paper sheet divided by scorings into a plurality of fiat relatively stiff panels, the panels being angularly disposed and the container, when ready for coating, charging and sealing, having a self-supporting, form-retaining body portion of polygonal cross section, a closed bottom, and a foldable top portion, one of the body panels consisting of two overlapping fractional panels a minor portion of each of which, at the top thereof, being of full panel width and in registration with a similar portion of the other fractional panel, the remaining or major portions of said fractional panels being of less than full panel width and overlapping only at their margins, the overlapping margins of the major portions ofsaiu fractional panels being spaced from the corners of the container body, the overlapping portions of the fractional panels being adhesively secured together, the closed bottom comprising four panels, one hingedly connected to each of the side walls, one such bottom panel comprising two fractional panels which are hingedly connected, respectively, to the fractional side wall panels, the other three bottom panels being of full width but two of them being relatively short and so positioned with respect to the aforementioned fractional bottom panels as to constitute therewith two complete uniform thicknesses of paper over the entire bottom of the container, the fourth panel being coextensive in area with the bottom of the container and all of said panels being adhesively united into a rigid'three-ply bottom structure oi uniform thickness.

GEORGE COPE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 656,302 Polhemus Aug. 21, 1900 2,263,957 Sooy Nov. 25, 1941 2,179,830 Pfundstein Nov. 14, 1939 1,737,319 McDonald Nov. 26, 1929 2,288,914 Monroe c July 7, 1942 981,993 Gain e? a? Jan. 1'7, 1911 

